![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_GettyImages-2213214860.jpg\")
Mikel Arteta’s side threw away three points(Image: Stuart MacFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\nARSENAL 1-2 BOURNEMOUTH: The Gunners suffered another collapse on a day when they could’ve taken a huge step towards qualifying for next season’s Champions League<\/p>\n
19:26, 03 May 2025Updated 19:40, 03 May 2025<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta’s side threw away three points(Image: Stuart MacFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Bournemouth came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates and shake-up the race for European football in the Premier League<\/a>. The Gunners suffered their second successive home loss on the back of Tuesday’s deflating 1-0 defeat<\/a> to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League<\/a> semi-finals.<\/p>\n Declan Rice<\/a> opened the scoring with 34 minutes on the clock, continuing his impressive goalscoring form. The goal showed how influential team-mate Thomas Partey<\/a> is, having missed the first leg against PSG through suspension<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Gunners were in firm control of the contest but Bournemouth<\/a>, looking for their first ever league double over Arsenal<\/a>, knew that a chance would come their way. It came from a throw-in, as \u00a350million-rated Dean Huijsen headed home to continue a worrying trend for Arsenal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Their set-piece struggles continued when a Cherries corner was finished off by Evanilson, who was initially suspended for the match<\/a> before the FA<\/a> overturned his red card against Manchester United<\/a> in midweek. Bournemouth’s hopes of playing European football next year were given a huge boost while Arsenal will have to wait to secure Champions League football in the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n Bournemouth themselves were reeling from a 1-1 draw with United last weekend, conceding in stoppage time<\/a>. There was no escaping the backdrop of Wednesday’s semi-final second leg for the hosts but that didn’t affect Mikel Arteta’s line-up.<\/p>\n Here are five talking points from the Emirates.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Mikel Arteta tips Arsenal talent too young for Premier League to debut in “near future”<\/a>READ MORE: PSG boss Luis Enrique makes Arsenal feelings crystal clear as decision made on three players<\/a>1. Arteta goes strong<\/p>\n Ahead of what could be a season-defining night in Paris on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta<\/a> only made two changes to his starting XI. Partey and Ben White<\/a> came in for Mikel Merino and the injured Jurrien Timber, showing just how important the Arsenal boss believed this game was.<\/p>\n That was in contrast to PSG<\/a> boss Luis Enrique, who made 10 changes to his line-up as the French champions travelled to face Strasbourg. They lost 2-1, their second Ligue 1 defeat in a row and third without a win.<\/p>\n Arteta was hoping for a better result and the Gunners started well. Rice flashed a shot wide before Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi headed clear on the line.<\/p>\n Will Arsenal beat Paris Saint-Germain? Give us your score prediction in the comments section<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite a few hairy moments, it always felt like the first goal was coming Arsenal’s way. In light of Partey’s return, Rice was given more license to go forward and one of his many runs into box was found by a neat Martin Odegaard pass.<\/p>\n Rice then took the ball around Kepa Arrizabalaga and slotted home, scoring his third goal in seven games on his 100th appearance for the Gunners. The assist from Odegaard was welcome, having been criticised for his performance against PSG in midweek.<\/p>\n They may be deadly when it comes to scoring from set pieces but Arsenal are one of the Premier League’s most susceptible sides when defending them. Having conceded from a corner in their last game at the Emirates, Bournemouth followed suit with a long throw from Antoine Semenyo, who’d just come on against the team he supported growing up.<\/p>\n The ball was flighted towards Dean Huijsen and the in-demand defender rose highest to head past David Raya<\/a>. It was Huijsen’s fourth Premier League goal of the season – all with his head – and it was game on. Jamie Carragher<\/a> recently joked that Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover should have his wage cut in half, but their problems are no laughing matter.<\/p>\n Sent off last weekend, the hero next game. Evanilson’s rescinded red card allowed him to face Arsenal and he made the most of it by scoring to make it 2-1 just eight minutes after Huijsen’s equaliser.<\/p>\n It came, unsurprisingly, from a set piece, with Evanilson muscling Odegaard out of the way at the far post to tap in. A VAR check for a handball ensued, although ultimately there was no ‘factual evidence’ that the ball had hit a Bournemouth arm during the goal.<\/p>\n Arsenal’s grip on second place has been loosening in recent weeks and after Manchester City’s win on Friday, there’s now just three points separating the pair. Arteta’s men play Liverpool<\/a> – once their title rivals – at Anfield next weekend while City will be looking to continue their resurgence away to already relegated Southampton<\/a>. The Gunners can’t afford more slip-ups.<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror<\/a> Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sky Sports’ discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_GettyImages-2213220651.jpg\")
Declan Rice opened the scoring(Image: Stuart MacFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)2. Rice continues goalscoring form on 100th appearance<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_GettyImages-2213220430.jpg\")
Declan Rice rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga to score(Image: Alex Burstow\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)3. Set-piece concerns grow for the Gunners<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_GettyImages-2213227209.jpg\")
Dean Huijsen headed in Bournemouth’s equaliser(Image: Ryan Pierse\/Getty Images)4. Bournemouth complete the comeback<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_GettyImages-2213227179.jpg\")
Evanilson scored the winning goal after a VAR check(Image: Ryan Pierse\/Getty Images)5. Third in a two-horse race?<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745298978_502_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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